Rider profile - Katie O'Neill
Home town: Rotorua
Height: 175cm
Coach: Sam Thompson
Team: NZXC Racing
UCI World rank:
Favourite training Ground outside of home town: NZ – Whakatane/Opotiki International - Czech Republic and Switzerland.
Favourite quote: Don’t practice until you get it right. Practice until you can’t get it wrong.
Athletes I look up to: Mahe Drysdale, Julie Bresset, Maja Wloszczowska, Rosara Joseph, Julien Absalon, Richard and Elina Usher. There are so many across all sports…
Qualifications: Bachelor of Tourism Management & currently studying a Bachelor of Business Studies with a major in finance
A bit about me: I was introduced to mountain biking in 2001 when my brother started riding downhill. I now race cross country where I have represented New Zealand numerous time. In 2011 my results started to lift where I rode into the top 10 at my second ever World cup in the Czech Republic. 2012 has seen a new challenge where I had major back surgery. Recovery went well however over the past year another injury has been problematic, but things are picking up for me and training is going well.
Career Highlights:
Team: NZXC Racing
New Zealand ranking: 4th
Favourite training Ground outside of home town: NZ – Whakatane/Opotiki International - Czech Republic and Switzerland.
Favourite quote: Don’t practice until you get it right. Practice until you can’t get it wrong.
Athletes I look up to: Mahe Drysdale, Julie Bresset, Maja Wloszczowska, Rosara Joseph, Julien Absalon, Richard and Elina Usher. There are so many across all sports…
Qualifications: Bachelor of Tourism Management & currently studying a Bachelor of Business Studies with a major in finance
A bit about me: I was introduced to mountain biking in 2001 when my brother started riding downhill. I now race cross country where I have represented New Zealand numerous time. In 2011 my results started to lift where I rode into the top 10 at my second ever World cup in the Czech Republic. 2012 has seen a new challenge where I had major back surgery. Recovery went well however over the past year another injury has been problematic, but things are picking up for me and training is going well.
Career Highlights:
- 3rd Xterra world championships U19 (fastest armature bike leg) 2008
- National elite short track mountain bike champion 2009
- Runner up in the elite national cross country series 2009
- Representing New Zealand at the mountain bike world championships 2006, 2009, 2011
- National Series Champion 2010
- U23 National champion 2009,2011 (3rd place elite women)
Rider profile Carl Jones
Age: 26
Home town: Whakatane
Based in Rotorua
Based in Rotorua
Weight: 66kg
Height: 176cm
New Zealand ranking: 4th
UCI World rank: 118
Coach: Evan McRae
Team: NZXC Racing
Favorite food: Pizza from pizza hut... Chili concarn wrapsAthletes I look up to: Nino Schurter, Julien Absalon, Richard Usher, Gordon Walker, Sam Sutton
Occupation/ Qualifications: Diploma in Applied Tourism Management, Cert in Adventure Tourism, Trail builder, MTB Guide.
Born and raised in Whakatane but moved to Rotorua to make the most of the opportunity with the Waiariki Academy of Sport Mountain bike Squad, I moved here in 2008 and have lived and trained in Rotorua since. My mountain biking has taken off since doing so, winning many age group national titles along the way, 2011 was my break through year winning the Elite National MTB title. I have Represented New Zealand at a World Championships event almost every year since 2005, in 2007 and 2008 I represented NZ at the Xterra World Championships and placed 2nd in 15-19 age group and 2008 placed 3rd in the 20-24 age group. 2013 myself and Katie along joined NZXC Racing a Rotorua Based XC mountain biking team we helped create, we travel to European based world cups each year and do as much racing as we can throughout New Zealand.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
- New Zealand U19 XC-MTB champion, 2006
- New Zealand U23 XC-MTB champion, 2008
- New Zealand Xterra Junior Mens Champion - 2007, 2008, 2009
- World Xterra Championships U19 runner-up 2007
- World Xterra championships U25, 3rd, 2008
- Five time New Zealand representative at MTB world championships 2005 Italy, 2006 Rotorua, 2009 Australia, 2010 Canada, 2011 Switzerland
- 2nd elite National series 2010
- North Island champion 2010
- Elite Cross Country Champion 2011
- Runner up Elite NZ MTB cup 2011
- NZMTB cup #1 Dunedin UCI cat 1 Winner 2012
- NZMTB cup #2 Chch UCI cat 2 Winner 2012
- NZMTB cup runner up 2012
